Starting in August, provincially regulated workplaces in Manitoba will be required to provide free menstrual products to their employees.
In a news release on Monday, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said the changes are about fairness and dignity at work, and periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality by making sure workers have what they need.
The changes come from the results of a 5 year review by the Workplace Safety and Health Review Committee. The government estimated the cost for businesses to implement the changes at $10 to $25 per employee, with an added installation cost of dispensers and other equipment of up to $300.
Though Manitoba is the first province to implement this change, federally regulated workplaces have been provding employees with menstrual products since 2023.
